Section 9

The Involvement of Cabeceras Aid Project With the Camisea Nanti

Cabeceras Aid Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, or non-governmental organization, based in Austin, Texas, USA. Cabeceras Aid Project was founded in 1996 by the authors of this report and other concerned individuals, to provide humanitarian aid to indigenous peoples like the Nanti, and to study their language and their culture, in order to provide them with a written record of their language and history for their own future use. Our approach is to assist the Nanti in finding solutions to the problems brought by contact with the outside world, and to help them remain independent and self-sufficient despite their new relationship with outsiders. We recognize that change is inevitable for groups like the Nanti, especially considering their strong desire to maintain contact with outsiders; but it is our belief that these changes need not be destructive to the health, well-being or culture of the Nanti.

The fieldwork for Cabeceras Aid Project's 1997 project with the Nanti occurred between June 28th and September 28th of 1997. The basic goals we had for this period of time among the Nanti were to learn their language, and to begin basic health care and education among them. We had planned a second phase of fieldwork from November of 1997 until April of 1998, but insurmountable obstacles prevented our return to Montetoni for that period. We intend to continue our work toward both of the above goals in the future, and to build upon the foundation we have laid so far with the Nanti.

The most pressing task for us in beginning our 1997 project was to develop some competence in the Nanti language. This was a necessary first step to accomplishing our goal of creating linguistic, cultural and historical materials, both for use by the Nanti in the future, and for later study by ourselves or by other interested persons. Also, in order to accomplish our goal of providing basic health care, and hygiene and sanitation education, it is essential that we speak Nanti.

Prior to our arrival among the Nanti in 1997, we had a clear sense that their language differed from Machiguenga, but we had little sense of how greatly the language differed, or in what ways. We knew from our previous interactions with Silverio Araña and José Arisha that communication could be quite difficult between speakers of the two languages (see Section 3 for a more detailed discussion). Therefore, our most important activity for the first phase of our project with the Nanti was to learn their language. A few materials on or in the Machiguenga language are available in the United States, so we familiarized ourselves with some of the basic structure and vocabulary of that language, to simplify the process for us of learning a second Arawakan language, Nanti.

During our stay with the Nanti, from late June through late September of 1997, we had innumerable conversations with Nanti of all ages, and they were for the most part very willing and patient language teachers. Their interest in our desire to speak their language and their enthusiasm for speaking with us provided an excellent counter-balance to a process that was at times confusing and difficult for everyone involved. As our ability to communicate in Nanti improved, we began conducting interviews with the Nanti about their lives and experiences. We took many notes and made many tape recordings; all of this information will eventually be organized, reproduced, and made available to both the Nanti and anyone else interested in it.

It is our hope to be able to provide material on the Nanti language in order to make possible the production of educational materials for use in their schools in the future. We also intend to produce some basic health education and disease prevention materials in the Nanti language.

As we discuss in greater detail in Section 6, it was immediately apparent to us in our visits to Montetoni in 1993 and 1995 that the Nanti would benefit from some basic medical care and health education. When we left Montetoni in June of 1995, the nearest medical post to them was in Kirigueti, a three day trip downriver under the best of conditions, but a trip that could easily take as long as a week. We resolved, therefore, to return to Montetoni in 1997 for an extended stay in which we could provide some of the basic care and education they need. We raised funds through the efforts of Cabeceras Aid Project to purchase basic medical supplies, such as thermometers, topical disinfectants, and simple antibiotics, for use in the Nanti villages. We also purchased and brought shovels with us in order to build latrines, but due to opposition from Silverio, we have not yet accomplished that project. It is our hope to construct numerous latrines during our next stay with the Nanti.

Other material aid that Cabeceras Aid Project has provided for the Nanti, at their request, includes: machetes, axes, knives, metal files, an adze, fishing hooks and line, clothing, sewing needles and soap.

The modest funds raised in the United States by Cabeceras Aid Project have been used to purchase material goods for the Nanti, and some recording equipment to facilitate our research. All of the expenses of our 1997 project pertaining to the authors of this report, such as airfares, food, accommodation, and other supplies, were paid out-of-pocket by them.

One of our primary goals in working with the Nanti in 1997 was to establish a firm, positive and long-term relationship with them, and to demonstrate to them our deep interest in helping them to maintain both their autonomy and their well-being. We feel that we have been successful in these efforts, and are grateful for and honored by the trust and friendship the Nanti have given to us. When we arrived among the Nanti, we asked their permission to stay and work among them, and they gave it; we also told them that if they ever wished for us to leave, to tell us and we would do so. But we were welcome visitors in Montetoni, and the Nanti there told us so frequently. When it was time for us to leave, we were sincerely welcomed back, for as long as we wanted to stay. We wish to continue our work with the Nanti in their communities in the future, as well as to continue serving as advocates for them in the outside world. We believe that the Nanti have much to offer and to gain -- but also much to lose -- in their developing relationships with non-Nanti. We wish to continue to offer them assistance as they make the decisions that will shape their future.

For further information on our interactions with the Camisea Nanti, also see Sections 4.5 and 6.7.